Although fire extinguishers must be inspected annually, they do not require recharging every year. Dry chemical extinguishers only require recharging after they’ve been used, or every six years. Hydrostatic testing is also done on dry-chem extinguishers every 12 years.
Recharging extinguishers every six years ensures proper functionality. Six-year maintenance testing disrupts settling of dry chemical. In the event of a fire it is imperative for an extinguishers contents to be free flowing. Any deficiencies will be corrected during the six-year maintenance process. If an extinguisher is deemed non-functional it will be removed from circulation and recycled.
Extinguisher cylinders also undergo hydrostatic testing every 12 years. This process ensures an extinguishers cylinder can still hold an adequate charge. If an extinguisher fails it’s hydrotest it is removed from circulation and recycled.
Other types of extinguishers have different testing requirements. Class K and CO2 extinguishers require hydrotesting every five years. All the information above is in regard to non-chrome dry chemical fire extinguishers. When doing an annual inspection, we will take care of any recharging and hydrostatic testing needs.